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The number of influenza cases in Pennsylvania has skyrocketed in the past week, and Luzerne County, with more than 350 confirmed cases, holds the dubious honor of having the most cases in Northeastern Pennsylvania by far.

Statewide, there have been 11,327 laboratory-positive flu cases to date, including 4,146 reported last week, according to the state Department of Health. That compares to a total of about 3,000 cases in all of last winter - and the flu season typically peaks in mid-January to February.

There have been 22 reported deaths in the state this flu season, but none in Luzerne County.

Pennsylvania hospitals and urgent care centers have started reacting to the increased number of cases, with the Lehigh Valley Hospital setting up a "mobile surge tent" Tuesday to treat people with flu-like symptoms.

In Luzerne County, health officials blamed the relatively large population centers for the county's higher flu rate.

The county is the largest in Northeastern Pennsylvania, home to more than 100,000 people higher than Lackawanna County, the second largest.

Last week, there were 25 new lab-confirmed cases of the flu reported in Lackawanna County, bringing the total since Oct. 2 to 71, health officials said.

Numbers from other counties include: Luzerne, 144 new cases last week, 366 total season to date; Wayne, six new cases, 25 total; Wyoming, four new cases, 38 total; Susquehanna, five new cases, 33 total; Pike, nine new cases, 21 total, and Monroe, 29 new cases, 89 total.

Commonwealth Health hospitals, including the Regional Hospital of Scranton and Moses Taylor, have also seen an increase in patients exhibiting flu-like symptoms, according to a statement.

"Commonwealth Health advises everyone who is at least 6 months of age to see their primary care physician for the flu shot, particularly those who are at high risk of flu complications," the statement read.

Not surprisingly, instances of flu were also high in Allegheny County, which includes Pittsburgh, in Centre County and in the large swath of area in and around Philadelphia.

Because last year's flu season was so mild, with only 3,000 cases in the entire state, the pendulum was bound to swing back in the other direction this year, Pennsylvania Health Department deputy press secretary Holli Senior said.

"No rhyme or reason, I don't think, as to why," Senior said. "It's just typically what happens."

Wendy Wilson, spokeswoman for Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton, said people who think they have the flu should not to come to the emergency room "unless it is a true emergency," but rather to call their primary care physician.

But Wilson said the best treatment is prevention.

"If you haven't already, get your flu shot," she said. "There is still time."

A flu shot will not cure someone who is currently infected with the flu, said Howard Duryea, a physician's assistant at the Geisinger Careworks walk-in clinic in Scranton. If people wish to treat the flu with antiviral medicine, it must be taken within 48 hours of first symptoms, he said.

However, people are encouraged to get the flu shot after they recover so they can be protected from the remaining types, he said.

People are also encouraged to wash their hands often with soap and water and cover their mouths when they sneeze or cough to prevent the flu's spread. Infected adults may be able to pass the flu to others one day before symptoms develop and up to a week after becoming sick.

David Singleton, staff writer, contributed to this report.

pcameron@citizensvoice.com, 570-821-2110

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